Month: May 2021

The Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Management Committee is meeting virtually on Wednesday 26 May 2021 at 4 pm.  The public gallery can be accessed online here. The full agenda pack with supporting documentation can be downloaded here.

Items of particular interest to KLPA members include:

1. Item 10 (Appendix 8) – Proposed Terms of Reference for The Sports & Wellbeing Advisory Forum here. This was discussed at the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee on 19 April 2021 (here). They expressed concerns about the size and unclear remit of the new body and it being chaired by the same person who chairs both the Management Committee and Consultative Committee, rather than by a lay member like the current Sports Advisory Forum.  Will the Management Committee consider these issues?
2. Item 11 – Hampstead Heath Bathing Pond and Lido Annual Report 2020-21 here.  This includes reference to free swimming for under 16s and over 60s to remain before 9.30 am and the very limited progress towards a “Support Scheme”, which still appears to be at the talking stage. There is also a brief mention of the letter before action sent by Leigh Day Solicitors on behalf of the KLPA.

With reference to the final point, the KLPA has recently launched a crowdfunding page with Crowd Justice and needs in the first instance to raise £5000 before the fundraising can go further. This is to launch a Judicial Review against the charging regime at the bathing ponds, based on indirect disability discrimination.  Thank you to all the generous people who have donated so far.  If you have not yet done so and you are able to make a donation, please do so by by clicking the donate button below:

If you have already donated, you can still help by spreading the word, via email, social media and, of course, word of mouth.  Please help us to get to our initial target of £5000.  The link to share is https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/fighting-discriminatory-charges-to-swim/

Following the partial lifting of Coronavirus restrictions from 17 May 2021, and continuing pressure from the KLPA, the City of London is making some changes to swimming arrangements.  There is still a long way to go but this is the most recent news:

• From 18 May 2021 the capped free flow hours (no need to book online) will be expanded to 7.00 am – 10.30 am (last entry 10 am) and 5.00 pm – 8.30 pm (last entry 8 pm).
• Booking through Eventbrite will still be necessary for swimming between 11 am and 4.30 pm based on the following time slots (with closure periods for cleaning) – 11 am to midday, 12.30 pm – 1.30pm, 2 pm – 3pm, 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm.
• The maximum number of swimmers who can be at the Ladies’ Pond at any one time is due to be increased and we are awaiting details.
• Women and girls who are non-swimmers can continue to access the upper meadow without paying, subject to the maximum capacity numbers at the Ladies’ Pond.
• The City of London may re-open the changing rooms from 21 June 2021, if public health restrictions continue to be lifted on schedule.

The following issues remain to be resolved:

1. There are currently no plans to make additional showers available and we believe that just one outdoor shower during the summer months is entirely inadequate.
2. The City still plans to employ stewards at the gates even when Coronavirus restrictions have, hopefully, been lifted from 21 June 2021.  This is intrusive and not consistent with the decision on charging taken at the Management Committee on 11 March 2020.
3. We believe that, on quieter days, it should be possible to turn up and swim between 11am and 5pm with payment accepted at the gate by cash or card, rather than having to book via Eventbrite.
4. We are awaiting an update on access for swimmers under 16 at the bathing ponds and we look forward to welcoming girls and teenagers back to the Ladies’ Pond. 
5. We are asking for the large black lockers placed on the path near the changing rooms to be removed as they appear to serve no useful purpose, but reduce available space.
6. Various temporary signs at the gates tell swimmers what they must or must not do. Following the lifting of remaining public health restrictions we believe this area should see fewer and more welcoming signs.

If you feel strongly about any of these issues please email the City of London via the following email addresses:

Anne.Fairweather@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Bob.Warnock@cityoflondon.gov.uk
HH-swimming@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Please copy to klpamailbox@gmail.com

Press coverage of our legal challenge to the City of London’s charging regime can be read here:

Ham & High 6 May 2021
Camden New Journal 7 May 2021
Evening Standard 7 May 2021

The campaign also featured in ITV and BBC London News on 6 May.

In addition a swimmer’s letter to Camden New Journal on 6 May 2021 highlighted ongoing problems with the City of London’s online booking system for the Ponds. Further correspondence in the Ham & High letters page of 6 May 2021 highlights the lack of democratic control over Hampstead Heath.

The KLPA, working with Kate Egerton at Leigh Day solicitors, has sent a letter before action to the City of London, challenging the discriminatory effects of the enforced and increased swimming charges. This is the first stage of a process which may lead to a judicial review of the current charging regime.

KLPA member Ann Griffin, who is registered blind, is a party to this action. The KLPA alleges indirect disability discrimination due to the disproportionate impact of the new charging regime on people with disabilities.  It is also alleged that the new charges interfere with swimmers’ human rights given the history of the bathing ponds and their health benefits.

In the letter before action we have asked for:

• Day tickets to revert to £2 (full price) and £1 (concession)
• Free access for swimmers on benefits and low income
• Free swimming for those under 16 and over 60 at any time of day

Early press coverage of this action can be seen here in Ham and High. It was also reported this morning on BBC London News, initially at 6.27 am. This was followed by a longer item on ITV London News, at 6.15 pm, in which KLPA Committee member Ann Griffin was interviewed. The Leigh Day press release of 5 May 2021 can be seen here.

The City of London has responded to the letter before action, denying any illegality.  Following further consultation with our solicitors at Leigh Day, we will keep members updated.